Method of manufacturing containers



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' METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS Filed May 4, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

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METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS Filed May 4, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

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ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 4, 1936 ETED STATES METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS Walter L. Rutkowski, Normandy, Mo., assignor to R. 0. Can Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application May 4, 1935, Serial No. 19,767

6 Claims.

My invention relates to the manufacture of containers, and, it has special reference to providing paper walled containers with windows by means of a simple, convenient and efficient auto- 5 matic process, or method.

In carrying out the process, or method, the following sequence of operations, or steps, are employed; first, conveying a container without a sight opening in the wall thereof to; a position adjacent a punch device, where it is stopped to be operated upon; second, moving the punch device to operative position for punching a sight opening in the wall of said container and simultaneously applying pressure to the container wall surrounding the opening being formed therein; third, retracting the punch device to former position; fourth, moving the conveyor to advance the first container to a new position adjacent an adhesive applying device and simultaneously therewith advancing a second container, without an opening therein, to the former position of the first container adjacent the punch device; fifth, moving the adhesive applying deviceto operative position for distributing adhesive to the inner wall of the first container surrounding the opening formed therein, simultaneously therewith moving the punch device to operative position for punching a sight opening in the Wall of the second con- 30 tainer and simultaneously with the two operations applying pressure to the walls of the first and second containers surrounding the openings therein; sixth, simultaneously retracting the adhesive applying device and the punch device to their former positions; seventh, moving the conveyor to advance the first container to a new position adjacent a window delivery device, to advance the second container to the former position of the first container adjacent the adhesive- 4 applying device and simultaneously advancing a third container, without an opening therein, to the former position of the second container adjacent the punch device; eighth, simultaneously moving the window delivery device, the adhesive applying device and the punch device to operative positions relative to the first, second and third containers, respectively, where they simultaneously perform the steps of securing a window to the first container, distributing adhesive to the; wall of the second container and the punching of an opening in the wall of the third container, and simultaneously with said three operations, applying pressure to the walls of the three containers surrounding the openings therein; ninth, simultaneously retracting the window delivery device, the adhesive applying device and the punch device to their former positions; and, thereafter, periodically, repeating the three operations, or steps of delivering a window to, and securing it to the apertured wall of the lead container, distributing adhesive to the apertured wall of the next container in line, and punching an opening in the wall of the next container in line.

In the manner set forth, it is apparent that the sequence of operations, or steps, are such that, after three containers are in position on an intermittently movable conveyor, or belt, relative to the three devices referred to, all three operations or steps of delivering a window to and securing it to one of the containers, distributing adhesive to another of the containers, and punching an opening in the wall of another container are performed simultaneously.

The many advantages gained by the use of my process, or method of manufacturing windowed containers, will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus for carrying out the process, there being one container in position on a conveyor to be subsequently operated upon.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus showing a punch in position for forming an opening in the wall of the container.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the. apparatus showing two containers in position to be simultaneously operated upon.

Fig. 4 is a. top plan view of the apparatus showing a punch in position for forming an opening in the wall of a second container, and a device in position for simultaneously distributing adhesive to the inner wall of first container surrounding the opening formed in the wall thereof.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus showing three containers in position to be simultaneously operated upon.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus showing the punch in position for forming an opening in the wall of the third container, a device in position for simultaneously distributing adhesive to the apertured wall of the second container and a device in position for delivering and securing a thin flexible window to the inner wall of the first apertured container to close the opening formed therein.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a' sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line iii-l0 of Fig. 6.

Inasmuch as the particular types, forms or structure of the several devices employed in the apparatus for carrying out the necessary operations, or steps, above referred to, may, as I am aware, be varied as to their details of construction, I have endeavored to illustrate same with suficient clearness, to teach the process, or method which I successfully practice, it not being believed necessary to illustrate, in exact detail, the construction of the several devices employed, and the co-operating and associated mechanisms of each device going to make up the complete apparatus.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises, briefly as possible, a suitably driven conveyor or belt l, which is intermittently movable, and provided with spaced stations 2 upon which containers are positioned in a horizontal position, to be carried by the conveyor in one direction only. Associated with the conveyor i, is a suitable punch device designated, generally as X, an adhesive applying device designated, generally as Y, and, a window delivering device Z. Associated with the window delivering 'device, is a window strip severing device 3. There are also employed in the apparatus, what I term pressure applying devices designated Q, 5, and 6, which, as is manifest, may be suitably actuated to periodically engage the walls of containers transported by the conveyor.

The punch device, the adhesive applying device, and the window delivering device are arranged in side by side spaced relation and are carried by a suitable reciprocating member or carriage ll disposed adjacent one side of the conveyor so that all three devices are simultaneously moved with the carriage toward the containers on the conveyor to be operated upon, and retracted from the containers after the operations have been performed upon the containers.

As shown in the drawings, the punch device consists of a suitably operated punch 8 and a bolster 9 having a punch receiving opening IE). The pressure applying device t that is adapted to function at the same time the punch 8 forms an opening in the wall of a container, consists of a suitable pivotally supported bifurcated pressure plate which is suitably actuated for the purpose of holding a container against displacement upon the bolster 9 during the operation of punching an opening in the wall of the container carried by the conveyor and at such time supported by the bolster 9.

The adhesive applying device, as shown, consists of a hollow bolster it having its top wall provided with a series of suitable openings 52 to permit adhesive I3, suitably delivered into the bolster from a suitable source of supply, to be distributed through said opening onto the inner wall of a container surrounding an opening previously formed in the wall of the container. The pressure applying device 5 that is adapted to function at the time adhesive is being distributed on the inner wall of an apertured container, consists of a suitable pivotally supported pressure plate, which is suitably actuated for the purpose of holding the apertured container wall against displacement on the perforated bolster H and to cause spreading of the gobbets of adhesive which have escaped through the bolster openings 62.

The window delivering device, as shown, embodies a hollow bolster M having its top wall provided with a series of suitable openings 55, and, connected with the hollow bolster and communicating therewith, is a tubular member it connected with suitable mechanism for setting up an air suction so that when a window H is severed from a strip of suitable window material l8 by means of the suitably operated knife 3, the window will be held by suction against displacement upon the bolster M until released so that it can be adhesively secured to the apertured inner wall of a container to close the opening therein. Suitable mechanism, as is apparent, may be employed for advancing the window strip material l8 onto the bolster Is, as needed.

When operation of the apparatus begins, containers are deposited on several stations of the conveyor I, and, as the conveyor moves intermittently, in one direction, the containers are periodically advanced to positions in front of the bolsters 9, H, and M where'they momentarily stop. For instance, as shown in Fig. 1, when container A onthe conveyor l is in position in front of the bolster 9 of the punch device, the conveyor i is adapted to stop traveling. The reciprocating carriage l supporting the three bolsters 9, ii, and bolster 9 moves into the body of the container A and stops, as will be apparent from Fig. 2. The pressure applying plate 4 is then suitably actuated to engage the top wall of the container A to hold the container A against displacement upon the bolster 9 when the punch 8 is suitably actuated to form a sight opening IS in the wall of the container A, as will be more clearly apparent from Figs. 8 and 9. As yet there are no containers on the stations of the conveyor l for the bolsters H and M to enter. After the opening l9 has been formed in the wall of container A, the pressure plate 4 disengages the apertured container wall and the reciprocating carriage or table 1, and. bolsters 9, H, and M move back to their former inoperative, or home positions, and, in doing so, extracts the bolster s from within the container A. The punched out piece of container wall material falls into the container body due to the bolster opening It).

When the carriage l and the several bolsters supported thereby, have returned to their home positions the conveyor I is moved forwardly, one station, thereby advancing the container A to a position adjacent the bolster H of the adhesive applying device, as shown in Fig. 2, and simultaneously therewith, a second container B on the conveyor advances to a position adjacent the bolster 9 of the punch device. carriage I now moves forwardly again causing bolsters l I and 9 to simultaneously enter the containers A and B, respectively, and the pressure applying plates 5 and 4 are simultaneously actuated to engage the walls of the containers A and B. The pressure applied by plate 5 slightly depresses the apertured wall of container A causing gobbets of adhesive at the upper ends of the bolster openings [2 to be distributed upon the inner wall of container A surrounding the opening l9 therein, and, simultaneously therewith the punch 3 is actuated to form an opening 19 in the wall of container B. As yet, there is no container on the station of the conveyor l for the bolster M to enter.

After the aforesaid two operations, simultaneously performed, have been completed, the pressure plates 5 and 4 are automatically elevated from engagement with the apertured walls of the containers A and B, respectively, and then the reciprocating carriage 1 carrying the bolsters 9, H, and I4 moves back to enter inoperative or home position and in so doing simultaneously extracts the bolsters II and 9 from M then advances and the The reciprocating within the containers A and B. When the carhave returned to their home positions, the conveyor l is then again automatically moved forwardly, one station, thereby advancing the container A, which has had its inner wall coated with adhesive, to a position adjacent bolster M of the window delivering device, and simultaneously therewith container B is advanced to a position adjacent bolster II of the adhesive applying device and a container C is also advanced to a position adjacent the bolster 9 of the punch device, as will be apparent from Fig. 5 :of the drawings. The reciprocating carriage now again moves forwardly causing the bolsters it, ii, and 9 to simultaneously enter the containers A, B, and C, respectively, and the pressure applying plates 6, 5, and 4 are automatically actuated to engage the walls of the containers A, B, and C, as will be apparent from Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The pressure applied to the apertured wall of container A by the pressure plate 6, causes the window ll, which has been previously severed from the window strip material l8, to adhere to the adhesively coated inner wall of container A to close the sight opening therein, simultaneously therewith adhesive is applied by bolster M and distributed on the inner wall of container 13 surrounding the opening therein, and alsosirnultaneously therewith the punch-8 is actuated to form a sight opening in the wall of container C, as will be apparent from Fig. 6.

After the aforesaid three operations or steps,

simultaneously performed, have been, completed,

the pressure plates 6, 5, and l are automatically elevated from pressure engagement with the apertured walls of the containers A, B, and C, respectively, and thenv the reciprocating carriage supporting the bolsters 9, I l, and it again move back to their inoperative or home positions, and

' in so doing, simultaneously extract the bolsters M, H, and 9 from within the containers A, B,

and C. After this last step or operation, the conveyor 3 is then again moved forwardly, one

station, thereby advancing the completed container A for discharge from the conveyor, simultaneously advancing container B to the former position of container A, simultaneously advancing container C to the former position of container B, and simultaneously advancing another container identified as D to the former position of container C, so that after the carriage has "again advanced, the bolsters M, H, and 9 may enter containers B, C, and D.

Hereafter the three operations, or steps of securing a window to the lead container, applying adhesive to the next container in line and simultaneously withsaid two steps punching an opening in the next or third container in line on the conveyor l, are-periodicaily and simultaneously repeated so long as there are three containers on the conveyor anddisposed adjacent the bolsters on the carriage I.

I am aware that according to a modification of my process which may be practiced, if desired, the punch device can be eliminatedfrom the apparatus shown, and, in such instance, the

containers placed on the several stations of the dows which consists in the steps of first moving a container on a conveyor to an operative po- 15 sition adjacent a punch device, introducing a bolster into the container and applying pressure to the wall of the container to prevent displacement thereof on the bolster, and punching an opening in the wall of the container, releasing the pressure against the wall of the container, retracting the bolster from the apertured container, moving the conveyor to ad Vance the apcrtured container to a new position adjacent an adhesive applying device and 25 simultaneously therewith advancing a second container on the conveyor to the former position of the first container, simultaneously introducing bolsters into the first and second containers, applying pressure to the walls of the two containers to prevent displacement of the second container on its bolster while punching an opening in the wall thereof and to distribute adhesive on the inner apertured wall of the first container, punching an opening in the wall of the second container, releasing the pressure against the walls of the two containers, simultaneously retracting the bolsters from within the two containers, moving the conveyor to advance the first container to a position adjacent a window delivering device, simultaneously advancing the second container to the former position of the first container and simultaneously advancing a third container to the former position of the second container, simultaneously introducing bolsters into the three containers, applying pressure to the walls of the three containers to prevent displacement of the third container on its respective bolster while punching an opening therein, to simultaneously distribute adhesive to the inner apertured wall of the second container and to simultaneously adhesively secure a window carried by one of the bolsters to the inner apertured wall of the first container, releasing the pressure against the walls of the three containers, simultaneously 'etracting the three bolsters from within the containers, moving the conveyor to discharge the first container and advance three following containers on the conveyor to operative posi-GO tions, and'periodically repeating the several operations to provide one finished container each time the three major operations are simultaneously performed.

2. The method of providing containers having 'apertured walls with windows, comprising the and another container previously adjacent the adhesive carrying device and provided with an inner coating of adhesive to a position adjacent a window delivering device, introducing an ad- *hesive carrying bolster of the adhesive carrying device into the one container, simultaneously therewith introducing a window carrying bolster of the window delivering device into the other container, applying pressure simultaneously against the apertured walls of both containers to distribute adhesive deliverable by the adhesive carrying bolster on the inner wall of the one container surrounding the opening in the wall thereof and to adhesively secure the window carried by the other bolster to the other container, and periodically repeating the simultaneous operations upon containers advanced by the conveyor to operative positions;

3. The art of providing containers with windows which consists in the steps of advancing a container to a stationary position adjacent a punch press, introducing a bolster into the container and then applying pressure to the wall of the container to prevent displacement of the container on the bolster, punching an opening in said wall of the container, releasing the pressure against the apertured wall of the container, retracting the bolster from the apertured container, advancing the apertured container to a new stationary position adjacent an adhesive applying device and simultaneously therewith advancing a follow up sec-ond container to the former position of the first container, simultaneously introducing bolsters into the first and second containers, applying pressure to the walls of the first and second containers to prevent displacement thereof on their respective bolsters, applying adhesive to the inner face of the apertured wall of the first container and simultaneously therewith punching an opening in the wall of the second container, releasing the pressure against the apertured walls of the two containers, simultaneously retracting the bolsters from within the two containers, advancing the first container to a new stationary position adjacent a window delivering device, simultaneously advancing the second container to a stationary position adjacent the adhesive applying device and simultaneously therewith advancing a third follow up container to a stationary position adjacent the punch press, simultaneously introducing bolsters into the three containers, simultaneously applying pressure to apertured walls of the first and second containers and to the Wall of the third container to be apertured to prevent displacement of the three containers on their respective bolsters, simultaneously adhesively securing a window to the inner face of the apertured wall of the first container, applying adhesive to the inner wall of the second container and punching an opening in the wall of the third container, simultaneously releasing the pressure from the walls of the three containers, simultaneously advancing the first container to a discharge position and three follow up containers to new positions, and periodically repeating the operations to provide one finished container each time the three major operations are simultaneously performed.

4. The method of providing apertured paper walled containers with adhesive and then with windows comprising the steps of advancing a lead container stationed on intermittently movable means to a stationary position adjacent an adhesive applying device, introducing an adhesive delivering bolster into the lead container, applying pressure to the apertured wall of the container to distribute adhesive on the inner face of the apertured wall of the container, re-

tracting the bolster from within the container, simultaneously advancing the lead container to a stationary position adjacent a window carrying bolster and a follow up container to a stationary position adjacent the adhesive applying bolster, simultaneously introducing the bolsters into the follow and lead containers, respectively, and simultaneously applying a window to the inner face of the adhesively coated apertured wall of the lead container and distributing adhesive to the inner face of the apertured wall of the fol- ,low up container, releasing the pressure from the apertured walls thereof, simultaneously retracting the bolsters from their respective containers and periodically repeating the simultaneous operations on containers intermittently advanced to their respective operative positions.

5. The method of preparing container bodies without end closures and providing same with windows which consists in intermittently moving a container to three spaced stations where the necessary operations are performed, at a first station a bolster is then moved into and out of the container and while in the container, the container is clamped to the bolster and an opening is punched in the container body, at a second station a bolster is moved into and out of the container and while in the container body the body is clamped to the bolster and adhesive applied to the inner face of the container body bordering the opening therein, and at a third station a bolster is moved into and out of the container body and while in the container body the body is clamped to the bolster and simultaneously therewith a window on the bolster is applied to the container body and held in position by the adhesive bordering the opening in the container body, and thereafter all operations on three container bodies being performed simultaneously.

6. In paper can making, the method consisting in moving a can body to a first station, moving a bolster into the container, clamping the body to the bolster and punching an opening in the body, unclamping the body and retracting the bolster from within the apertured body, moving the apertured body to a second station and moving a follow up can body to the first station, moving bolsters simultaneously into the two containers, simultaneously clamping the bodies to their respective bolsters, simultaneously punching an opening in the body at the first station and applying adhesive to the inner face of the apertured body at the second station, simultaneously unclamping can bodies and then simultaneously retracting the bolsters from the two bodies, moving the container body at the second station to a third station and simultaneously therewith moving the body at the first station to the second station and a follow up can to the first station, simultaneously moving bolsters into the three containers, simultaneously clamping the three bodies to their respective bolsters and simultaneously therewith applying adhesive to the can body at the second station, applying a window to the body at the third station and immediately following the clamping steps punching an opening in the can body at the first station, then simultaneously unclamping the bodies and. simultaneously retracting the bolsters therefrom and then repeating the operations on the advanced cam bodies.

WALTER L. RUTKOWSKI. 

